User:M Waleed/sandbox

My sandbox

First Baloch conflict

Main article: First Balochistan conflict

First Balochistan conflict
Part of Insurgency in Balochistan
Date 1948 – 1950 Location Balochistan Result Pakistani victory Suppression of rebellion Surrender of Prince Agha Abdul Karim and Prince Muhammad Rahim
Belligerents
Pakistan	Kalat insurgents
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad Ali Jinnah Liaquat Ali Khan	Princes Agha Abdul Karim   Prince Muhammad Rahim
Units involved
Pakistan Army	Dosht-e Jhalawan

Background

Balochistan contained a Chief Commissioner's province and four princely states under the British Raj. The province's Shahi Jirga and the non-official members of the Quetta Municipality opted for Pakistan unanimously on 29 June 1947. Three of the princely states, Makran, Las Bela and Kharan, acceded to Pakistan in 1947 after independence. But the ruler of the fourth princely state, the Khan of Kalat, Ahmad Yar Khan, who used to call Jinnah his 'father', declared Kalat's independence as this was one of the options given to all of the 535 princely states by British Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

Conflict

Kalat finally acceded to Pakistan on 27 March 1948 after the 'strange help' of All India Radio and a period of negotiations and bureaucratic tactics used by Pakistan. The signing of the Instrument of Accession by Ahmad Yar Khan, led his brother, Prince Abdul Karim, to revolt against his brother's decision in July 1948. Princes Agha Abdul Karim Baloch and Muhammad Rahim, refused to lay down arms and lead the Dosht-e Jhalawan (numbering around 1000 militants) in unconventional attacks on the army .

Battle of Jhalwan

The Baloch militants captured the area of Jhalwan and used it as a base to stage further operations against Pakistani armed forces, after an offensive Pakistani forces were able to recapture this area. The militants suffered heavy casualties and were demoralised which ultimately contributed to their surrender.

Foreign involvement

Agha Abdul Karim and some other Baloch separatist leaders such as iQadir Bakhsh Nizamani, Muhammad Hussain Anqa, Malik Saeed Dehwar, and Moulvi Muhammad Afzal, went to Afghanistan in May 1948, to obtain material and financial support from the Afghan government and the Soviet Union, but they failed to obtain any financial or military assistance although Prince Abdul Karim was granted refuge in Afghanistan.

Surrender

In 1950 they came back to Pakistan upon being granted amnesty by some Baloch statesmen and Pakistani government however on his return he was arrested against the truce and was sentenced to ten years in Haripur jail .

Aftermath

Jinnah and his successors allowed Yar Khan to retain his title until the province's dissolution in 1955.

Second Balochistan conflict

Main article: Second Balochistan conflict

Second Balochistan conflict
Part of Insurgency in Balochistan
Date 1958 – 1960 Location Balochistan Result Pakistani victory Suppression of rebellion Surrender of Nauroz Khan
Belligerents
Pakistan	Kalat insurgents
Commanders and leaders
Iskander Mirza	Ahmad Yar Khan Nauroz Khan
Units involved
Pakistan Army Pakistan Air Force	Kalat insurgents
Strength
Unknown	1000+ militants
Casualties and losses
Unknown	500+ captured Unknown killed

Attack on Kalat palace

In 1958,Ahmad Yar Khan tried to ambush the Deputy Commissioner .He invited him to his place and when he came the palace guards led by the Khan's son, Prince Mohiuddin attacked him. Three persons were wounded. In retaliation the following day, a Tank of Pakistan military fired multiple rounds on the palace of Khan and the Khan was forced to surrender and was taken away to Lahore. While the Khan was being taken away, a crowd gathered outside the palace and upon a clash with the troops three were killed and at least two others were wounded. About 350 people were arrested in Kalat and neighbouring towns. It was alleged that the Khan had stored large quantity of weapons and food for a large private army to wage a rebellion against Pakistan. On October 6, 1958, Pakistani President Iskander Mirza issued an order that took stripped powers away from Ahmed Yar Khan and all his distinctions, privileges and immunities.

Dismissal of the government

Iskander Mirza abolished the constitution, imposed martial law, dissolved the national and provincial assemblies, and dismissed the government. Pakistani government also stressed the Baloch tribesman, especially in Jhalawan and Sarwan, to turn in their arms at the respective local police stations

One Unit scheme

Main article: One Unit Scheme

The One Unit Scheme was the reorganisation of the provinces of Pakistan by the central Pakistani government. It was led by Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Bogra on 22 November 1954 and passed on 30 September 1955. The government claimed that the programme would overcome the difficulty of administering the two unequal polities of West and East Pakistan separated from each other by more than a thousand miles. To diminish the differences between the two regions, the 'One Unit' programme merged the four provinces of West Pakistan (West Punjab, Sind, NWFP & Baluchistan) into a single province to parallel the province of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

The One Unit program was met with great resistance and grievances were raised by the four provinces since its establishment. As per scholar Julien Levesque, the One Unit project had mainly been pushed by the Punjabi elite of West Pakistan since 1953 with the aim of preventing politicians from East Pakistan from gaining power at the centre. The National Awami Party successfully sponsored a bill in the National Assembly calling for its dissolution and providing for regional autonomy. This led to the military takeover of the national government. The One Unit programme remained in effect until 1970. Finally, President General Yahya Khan imposed Legal Framework Order No. 1970 to end the One Unit program and reinstate the provisional status of the Four Provinces as of August 1947.

Rebellion by Nauroz Khan

An armed battle began under the command of Nawab Nauroz Khan Zarakzai Zehri. Nawab Nauroz Khan gathered around one thousand armed Baloch tribals and demanded the immediate release of Ahmad Yar Khan of Kalat and the abolition of One Unit Scheme. As a result, a multiple battles erupted in the region, including near the Pakistan-Iran border,Jhalawan, Kohlu and Dera Bugti and in the suburbs of Quetta. A large number of Pakistani troops supported by Air force were sent to quell the rebellion.

Negotiations and Surrender

In the early 1960s, Nawab Nauroz Khan and his men surrendered after peace talks between the tribals and Pakistani government , who pledged to abolish One Unit Scheme and grant amnesty to Nauroz Khan and his men. Nauroz Khan said that government must first withdraw its troops from Balochistan, release the Khan of Kalat immediately, restore the princely state of Kalat and release all the political prisoners in Balochistan. He put a condition for surrendering. when Nauroz Khan refused to comply despite the concession offered by the government . A jirga was sent to Nauroz Khan, along with a Holy Qur’an as an assurance that he would come down from the mountains on its sanctity.. When the militants came down from the mountains, they kissed the Qur’an and said that they respect the Quran but they won't surrender. The government delegation kept reassuring them through the Qur’an that the government was living up to its promise. So they surrendered. ,however, around 160 insurgents, including Nauroz Khan and his son, were trialed in a military court in Machh district. Nauroz Khan, his son, and five other family members were sentenced to death on the charges of rebellion and killing of Pakistani troops; however, Nauroz Khan’s sentence was later changed to life imprisonment.Nauroz Khan spent his remaining life in Hyderabad prison.

Third Balochistan conflict

Main article: Third Balochistan conflict

Third Balochistan conflict refers to an insurgency by Baloch separatists against the Pakistani government lasting from 1963 till 1969 with the aim to force Pakistan to share revenues from gas reserves in Balochistan, freeing up of Baloch prisoners and dissolution of one unit policy.

Third Baloch conflict
Part of Insurgency in Balochistan
Date 1963 – 1969 Location Balochistan Result Ceasefire General amnesty to militants Abolition of One Unit Scheme
Belligerents
Pakistan	Parrari PFAR Bugti militia
Commanders and leaders
Ayub Khan Yahya Khan	Sher Mohammad Marri Mir Ali Mengal
Units involved
Pakistan Army Pakistan Air Force	Parrari PFAR Bugti militia

Background

Following the introduction of a new constitution in 1956 which limited provincial autonomy and enacted the 'One Unit' concept of political organisation in Pakistan. Tension continued to grow amid consistent political disorder and instability at the federal level. Multiple Baloch parliament members were dismissed. The federal government tasked the Pakistan Army with building several new bases in key areas of Balochistan.

Insurgency

Sher Muhammad Bijrani Marri led like-minded militants into guerrilla warfare from 1963 to 1969 by creating their own insurgent bases. Their goal was to force Pakistan to share revenue generated from the Sui gas fields with the tribal leaders and lifting of One Unit Scheme. The insurgents bombed railway tracks and ambushed convoys and raided on military camps.

PFAR

Main article: Popular Front for Armed Resistance

Popular Front for Armed Resistance, or PFAR, was a terrorist outfit formed during the 1960s. The group is responsible for series of bomb blasts in Pakistan. Most of outfit's activists were trained in Afghanistan. For the outfit, Afghanistan was good place to obtain weaponry and others goods.

Parrari

Main article: Parrari

Parrari or Parari was a terrorist outfit founded by Sher Mohammad Marri in the 1962. The outfit was responsible for series of attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces. The outfit continued its attacks until 1969..Sher Mohammad Marri was the first Baloch to use the tactics of modern guerrilla warfare against the government. In early 1960s his Parari fighters attacked the Pakistani Armed Forces in the Marri area and in Jahlawan under Mir Ali Muhammad Mengal. This campaign came to an end in 1967 with the declaration of a general amnesty.

Bugti militia

Main article: Bugti militia

Bugti militia also actively partook in this conflict against Pakistan armed forces.

Military response

The Pakistan Army retaliated by destroying the militant camps. Pakistan Army bombed multiple villages with separatist presence. Pakistan Air Force also led a bombing campaign on the tribal areas with separatist presence which not only destroyed multiple separatist bases but also destroyed vast agricultural farmland.

Aftermath

This insurgency ended in 1969, with the Baloch separatists agreeing to a ceasefire granting general amnesty to the separatists as well as freeing the separatists. In 1970 Pakistani President Yahya Khan abolished the "One Unit" policy, which led to the recognition of Balochistan as the fourth province of West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan), including all the Balochistani princely states, the High Commissioners Province, and Gwadar, an 800 km² coastal area purchased from Oman by the Pakistani government.

Afghan SCUD attacks in Pakistan

Main article: Afghan SCUD attacks in Pakistan

Afghan SCUD attacks in Pakistan
Part of Pakistan-Afghanistan skirmishes
Date April 6 1989 - November 28 1990 Location Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, Pakistan Result Inconclusive Surrender of 99th Missile Brigade
Belligerents
Afghanistan	Pakistan
Units involved
Afghan army 99th Missile Brigade	N/A
Casualties and losses
None	10 Pakistani civilians killed 21 Pakistani civilians wounded
6 Afghan refugees killed 22 Afghan refugees injured

Background

After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the Soviet–Afghan War, the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan was entangled in a civil war without any direct Soviet involvement. They were supplied 2000 SCUD missiles by Soviets which were used against Mujahideen forces but in some instances these missiles struck Pakistan which was supporting the Mujahideen.

April 6 strike

On the night of Thursday April 6 1989 , a SCUD missile hit a post station in the border town of Torkham, no casualties were reported but the post station was damaged. This was the first SCUD attack on Pakistan by Afghanistan. Afghanistan claimed that this strike was not intentional but was an accident as it was directed on the town of Jalalabad where a battle was taking place between Afghan forces and Mujahideen.

May 4 strike

On Thursday May 4, 1989 at 8:20, a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck near Kharruba Afghan Refugee Camp, in Bannu District killing three Afghan refugees and wounding 17 others.

May 22 strike

On Monday May 22, 1989, an Afghan SCUD missile struck near Bhakkar in Punjab province. This being the third strike ignited severe tensions between the Pakistan and Afghanistan who accused one another of sabotaging peace efforts.

23-26 June strikes

On Friday June 23, 1989 at 6:45 in the evening, a missile fired by the Afghanistan struck near Khardand in Mazro Kandau. No casualties were reported.

On Saturday June 24, 1989 at 5:50 in the evening another missile fired by Afghanistan struck in Batagram. No casualties were reported.

On Monday June 26, 1989 at 8:30 in the morning a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck Teri post in Spina Shagah. No casualties were reported.

August 3 strike

On Thursday August 3, 1989 at 5:20 in the evening a SCUD missile fired by Afghanistan struck the village of Nartopa near Haripur. 6 civilians were injured, 4 homes were completely destroyed and 13 were damaged.

August 15 strike

On August 15, 1989 at 8:45 in the morning another SCUD missile struck an area in the Kurram Agency. However, no casualties were reported.

1 October strike

On Sunday October 1, 1989 at 8:15 at night, a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck near Adam Khel in North Waziristan Agency. No casualties were reported.

October 27 strike

On Friday October 27, 1989, a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck Teri Mangal in Kurram Agency. No casualties were reported.

January 10 strike

On Wednesday January 10, 1990 at 1:40 in the afternoon a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck Hisar Village im District Attock

June 14 1990 strike

On Thursday June 14, 1990 at 2 in the morning, a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck Teri Mangal in Kurram Agency wounding an Afghan refugee.

June 26 1990 strike

On Tuesday June 26, 1990 at 4:15 in the evening a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck Peiwar Kotal, Kurram Agency wounding 4 Afghan refugees.

September 13 1990 strike

On Thursday September 13, 1990 a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck near Shahdal, Kurram Agency. However, no casualties were reported.

November 20 1990 strike

On November 20, 1990 at 10:35 in the morning a SCUD missile launched by Afghanistan struck near Awal Khan, Khyber Agency. However no casualties were reported.

November 28 1990 strike

On Wednesday November 28, 1990 at 3:40 in the afternoon teo SCUD missiles launched by Afghanistan struck Teri Mangal in Kurram Agency. This was the largest and the deadliest Afghan strike on Pakistani soil killing 13 people including 3 Afghan refugees and wounding 15 others.

1988 Iranian Super cobra shootdowns

Main article: Shindand Super cobra incident

Shindand supercobra incident refers to the shootdown of two iranain Bell AH-1 SuperCobras by Soviet forces near Shindand, Herat Province. It was the only air to air engagement between Soviet and Iranian forces in the Soviet Afghan war.

Shindand supercobra incident
Part of Soviet Afghan war
Date 26 September 1988 Location Shindand, Herat Province , Afghanistan Result Soviet victory 2 Bell AH-1 SuperCobras shot down
Belligerents
Iran	Soviet Union
Commanders and leaders
N/A	V.Astakhov B.Gavrilov
Units involved
Iranian army Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation	Soviet Air Forces 120th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment
Casualties and losses
2 Super cobras shot down	None

Background

During the Soviet Afghan war , Iran supported the Shia Mujahideen, namely the Persian speaking Shiite Hazaras. One of these groups was the Tehran Eight, a political union of Afghan Shi'a. They were supplied predominately by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This further strained the already tense relations between Soviet union and Iran.

Shootdown

On 26 September 1988 two Iranian Air force Bell AH-1 SuperCobras intruded into Afghan airspace southeast of Shindand, Herat Province.. Two Soviet MiG-23MLs of the 120th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment piloted by B.Gavrilov and V.Astakhov were dispatched. The Migs fired R-24 rockets at the Bell AH-1 SuperCobra , both Super cobras were shot down by the Mig-23MLs killing at least 3 personnel on board. .

Aftermath

This shotdown was the last air to air shootdown by Soviets in the Soviet Afghan war. Soon after the Soviets retreated from Afghanistan. Tehran Eight also attacked Soviet forces more frequently after the incident.

1982 Iran asphalt factory incident

Main article: 1982 Harmak incident

1982 Harmak incident refers to an accidental infiltration of Iranian territory during the Soviet Afghan war , in which Soviet forces strayed off from the target of Mujahideen base in southern Afghanistan and accidentally destroyed an Asphalt factory in Iran.

Shindand supercobra incident
Part of Soviet Afghan war
Date 5 April 1982 Location Harmak, Zahedan Result Iranian victory 2 Mi-8 destroyed and several damaged
Belligerents
Iran	Soviet Union
Commanders and leaders
N/A	General Anatoly Tabunshchikov Colonel Vladimir Aprelkin
Units involved
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Iranian army Factory guards	Soviet Air Forces Soviet Army
Casualties and losses
2 guards killed	2 Mi-8 destroyed Several Mi-8 damaged

Background

By 1982, the Soviet Afghan war had been raging on for two years , and seemingly wasn't close to an end . The Soviets were in the control of major population centres while the rural areas were mostly under Mujahideen control .

Planning

In March 1982, the Soviets devided to destroy a vital supply base at the village of Robat Jaali in southern Afghanistan just a few kilometres away Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran tripoint , given the nickname of “The Bermuda Triangle” by Soviets. According to Soviet intelligence, this was a vital Mujahideen base with about 60 militants and huge cache of weapons and ammunition. The operation was planned in Moscow, and to maintain operational secrecy the, the Soviet military did not inform either the Afghan Army or KHAD as both had many Mujahideen informants.

The operation was commanded by General Anatoly Tabunshchikov, who in an Antonov command plane would follow the main strike force and do a photo evaluation of the raid, while the forces themselves would be led by Colonel Vladimir Aprelkin. The plan was complicated as the target was at a large distance and Soviet helicopters couldn't reach the target without refueling. Ultimately it was decided that a force of 600 Soviet troops, including Spetsnaz special forces, would assemble about 30 miles away from Robat Jaali for refueling on April 4th .The next morning, the target would be bombed by about 12 Su-17s. Then 60 Mi-8 would quickly follow and capture the target along with all its supplies. Then after six hours they would be refueled and go back home.

Incident

The plan didn't go as planned. Just as the helicopters flew from their base for refueling point, they had to face a severe sandstorm causing them to split into small groups . Each of which had to reach the point on its own with the last groups reaching at night . They spent most of the night for refueling.

On the morning of April 5th, the strike force departed from the refueling point for the target , with Colonel Aprelkin as a passenger frontal helicopter. At the specified time, two Su-17s dropped parachute flares to mark the location of the target and the other Su-17s successfully bombed the target.

But a few flares were released too high, and a strong wind blew them off the course by several kilometres and they landed on the Iranain side of the border.

After the arrival of the strike force, the front helicopter crew who been there earlier told Colonel Aprelkin that they were not on their target location, but the commander, Colonel Aprelkin disagreed and stated that the strike force had not yet arrived at the target location. He ordered the pilot to keep flying towards the flares and the rest of the strike group followed.

After some time they came across a civilian road with a civilian bus driving on it but no such roads were on the Soviet map. Colonel Aprelkin was again informed but now the Colonel some buildings and he was convinced that it was their target of Robat Jaali. He issued a order to the force to engage.

The lead helicopter landed at the place and soon others in the strike force also landed . In about twenty minutes, the Soviet soldiers came out of their helicopters and captured the compound which was guarded by only two civilian guards.

The Soviets realised it wasn't their target but an ordinary civilian asphalt factory which was closed on that day. At the same time, General Tabunshchikov who came for damage assessment saw the situation and informed Colonel Aprelkin over radio that the strike force had crossed Iranian border and landed near the Iranain town of Harmak. General Tabunshchikov ordered the strike force to evacuate immediately. He informed his superiors telling them , “Our troops are on foreign territory!”.

Iranian response

Two F-4 Phantom II fighters from the Iranian Air Force arrived . Soon they opened fire on the landed Mi-8s , they were followed by two more F-4s . The Soviet MiG-23s had been ordered by the General not to engage . “It was bad enough that we had attacked the Iranian town,” Tabunshchikov said, “and there was no need to escalate the problem by shooting down Iranian airplanes over Iran.” The Iranian F-4s managed to destroy two Mi-8s and damaged. By that time a group of Iranian Army tanks approached and started firing, the Soviets were again ordered not to engage. The Iranians retook the factory . The Soviets hastily retreated leaving some personnel behind who they were forced to walk the three hours back to the Afghan border.

Aftermath

Iranian government filed diplomatic protests with the Soviets. Soviet officials issued a formal statement accepting responsibility for the mistake and compensations were made for the victims . The official Soviet inquiry put the blame on Colonel Aprelkin for inaccurate navigating and unauthorised attack. He was demoted but remained as a commander in Afghanistan .

1986 Miram shah incident

Main article: 1986 Miram Shah incident

1986 Miram shah incident refers to an accidental intrusion of Pakistani territory by 38th commando brigade of Democratic Republic of Afghanistan during the Second Battle of Zhawar . The strike force, in the darkness of night accidentally landed near Miram Shah in Pakistan instead of Zhawar. The force was surrounded and taken prisoner.

Background

The Second Battle of Zhawar was a significant engagement that took place during the Soviet-Afghan War. It pitted Afghan Army units, supported by the Soviet Union, against mujahideen faction led by Jalaluddin Haqqani. The objective of the battle was to destroy the mujahideen's logistical base located in Zhawar, just three kilometers from the Durand Line.

The initial offensive, known as the First Battle of Zhawar , and was launched in September 1985. DRA divisions, with air support from the Soviet Union, initiated the attack while major mujahideen commanders were absent, including Haqqani who was on pilgrimage to Mecca. The DRA forces advanced from Khost and successfully captured the village of Bori, northeast of Zhawar. However, they encountered fierce resistance and were forced to retreat.

The main attack began on September 4 and initially achieved success, with the capture of the village of Lezhi and the killing of a mujahideen commander. However, the offensive was halted at the heavily fortified Manay Kandow pass, where the mujahideen put up a strong defense.

Incident

On 2nd April 1986 , the DRA launcher artillery and airstrikes on Zhawar cave network. Then six Mi-8 carrying 120 troops of the 38th Commando Brigade took off from Khost airfield for the landing point. The commandos landed facing no resistance, but the ground troops faced heavy resistance from Mujahideen at the Dawri Gar mountain. The ground offensive was forced to stop. The command post for the operation was shifted from Khost to Tani and contacted the aerial assault group. The commander of the assault group reported that they could see the firing taking place far away from their location. It was now 3 in the morning. The Afghan government artillery fired an flare on the Dawri Gar mountain. The command station asked the assault group commander that "Do you see the round?" and they replied that the location was about 15 kilometers from their location. The Afghan government artillery again fired another flare five kilometers south. Again the commander was asked that whether he could see the flare. He replied that it was about ten kilometers from their location. Command post informed the assault group that they had crossed the border and landed five kilometers inside Pakistan near Miram Shah. Soon the strike group began withdrawal preparations.

Pakistani response

A Pakistani aerial reconnaissance plane had spotted the aerial assault group and the army was informed. Soon the Pakistan Army surrounded the strike group. They strike group tried to resist and engaged in combat but they were outnumbered and thus they surrendered to Pakistani forces. All 6 Mi-8 helicopters and all 120 commandos were captured.

Aircraft shootdown

To bomb Mujahideen bases the Soviet planes began flying over Pakistani airspace. Pakistani army in response ordered the troops to shoot down any enemy aircraft flying over head. They fired a total of 14 Surface to Air missiles on Soviet aircraft and managed to shoot down one Soviet aircraft with the pilot safely ejecting and landing into Afghan territory. Moreover Soviet air strikes on Pakistani forces wounded two Pakistani soldiers.

Dir campaign

Main article: Dir campaign

Dir campaign
Date 1959-1960 Location Dir state Result Pakistani/Opposition victory Overthrow of Nawab Jahan Khan
Belligerents
Pakistan Dir opposition Supported by: Swat state	Dir state
Commanders and leaders
Maj. M.A Beg Maj. Aslam Beg Lt Col. A O Mitha Maj. Nishat Ahmed Capt. S.M. Naeem Lt. Fakhre Alam Sharrif Khan Rakhman Gul	Nawab Jahan Khan Khan of Jandool
Units involved
Pakistan Army SSG Shariff Force Rakhman Gul Force	Dir Levies
Casualties and losses
Unknown	200+ soldiers killed

Dir campaign refers to a conflict that took place in Dir state, originally an insurrection by locals against the rule of Nawab Jahan Khan that lead to the death of 200 soldiers of Nawab and unknown number of locals. This insurrection antagonized Pakistani government and it tried to negotiate the resignation of Nawab but no settlement was reached. This was followed by an invasion of the state by Pakistani SSG and overthrow of Nawab.

Background

On 8 Feb 1948, Dir acceded to the newly created Muslim dominion of Pakistan, initially continuing as one of the surviving princely states of Pakistan. The politics of the late Nawabs are described as reactionary and harsh.

State violence and underdevelopment

It was reported by Fosco Maraini in 1959 during an expedition towards Hindu-Kush, reported the opinion of the people that the Nawab Jahan Khan (who was about 64 years old at that time) was a tyrannical leader, denying his subjects any freedom of speech and instruction, governing the land with a number of henchmen, and seizing for his harem any girl or woman he wanted. Maraini also noticed the lack of schools, sewers, and paved roads, and the presence of just a rudimentary newly built hospital. The Nawab was negatively compared to the Wali of Swat, whose liberal politics allowed his state to enter into the modern era.

Civilian uprising

As a consequence, uprisings began eventually to explode. A repressed revolt in 1959 was reported by Maraini's. Another insurrection in 1960 led to the death of 200 soldiers and put the Nawab in a bad light in the view of the press. Pakistani government put heavy pressure on the Nawab Jahan Khan to resign but no diplomatic success was reached.

Pakistan military operation

In October 1960, Two companies of the SSG covertly in Scouts uniform launched an operation to overthrow the Nawab Jahan Khan and his son Khan of Jandool.

First SSG company operated from Chitral under the command of Mirza Aslam Beg Commanded SSG alongside Shariff Force commanded by Brig M. Shariff. They launched an assault on the town of Dir with the aim of overthinking Nawab Jahan Khan. Maj. Nishat Ahmed, Capt. S.M. Naeem and Lt. Fakhre Alam also participated in this operation. The overthrow was bloodless.

The second SSG company, commanded by Maj. Aslam Beg, operated in the area of Munda Killa alongside Rakhman Gul Force . It's aim was to capture Khan of Jandool. Lt Col. A O Mitha were part of this company. They transported the Nawab and his son in to Risalpur via air.

All the weapons of nawab were confiscated and constitutional government was established. Nawab shah Khesrao khan was recognised as the Nawab of Dir. The SSG personnel remained in the area for a month.

Exile of Nawab

General Yahya decided to exile Jahan Khan, who would die in 1968. His throne passed in October 1961 to his eldest son, Mohammad Shah Khosru Khan, educated in India and a serving Major General of the Pakistan Army. However, the effective rule of Dir was taken by the Pakistani government's Political Agent.

Aftermath

A few years later, on 28 July 1969, the Dir state was incorporated into Pakistan, ceasing its political existence. The royal status of the Nawabs was abolished in 1972, at the same time as most other princes of Pakistan.

1976 Dir revolt

Main article: 1976 Dir rebellion

1976 Dir revolt refers to a rebellion by Kohistani tribesmen against the government of Pakistan from September 3 to September 10 1976. This rebellion was suppressed and stabilised government control over the area.

1976 Dir rebellion
Date 3 September 1976 - 10 September 1976 Location Dir state Result Pakistani victory Suppression of rebellion
Belligerents
Pakistan Dir Levies	Dir rebels
Commanders and leaders
Z.A Bhutto	Unknown
Units involved
Pakistan Army XI Corps Armoured corps Artillery regiment Pakistan Air Force Dir Levies	Sultan Khel Paidan Khel
Strength
~10000	~2000
Casualties and losses
~120 killed	~180 killed

Background

Dir used to be a Princely state under the British suzerainty and after the Partition of India , it acceded to Pakistan. It's autonomy was reduced in 1955 and after a coup by Pakistani special forces in 1960, the power was in defacto Pakistani control. In 1969, the state of dir was officially abolished and it was fully incorporated into Pakistan. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto started a land reform project in which large section of timber forest was confiscated. It was a vital source of income for the locals and they stated protesting against the reform.

Rebellion

The rebellion initially started as a protest by the local tribesmen in the Shongan valley south of Dir. In an effort to disperse the protesters, Dir Levies started firing tear gas shells on the protesters. Upon hearing the sound of shelling, multiple tribesmen including suktankhel and paidankhel tribesmen carrying melee weapons from the surrounding areas also entered the battlefield and started attacking the troops of Dir Levies. The situation soon went out of the control of Dir Levies. The tribesmen had blockaded the main road to Dir city and they had put the town under siege. They looted multiple military weapons storehouses, destroyed a government hospital and lowered Pakistani flags replacing them with the flags of Dir. Pakistani government decided to deploy Pakistan army and Pakistan Air Force to quell the rebellion. 10,000 troops of Pakistan army entered the area. They faced heavy resistance from the 2000 tribesmen. A team of Pakistani military engineers was ambushed by the tribesmen. Only infantry couldn't quell the rebellion. So tanks and artillery were used extensively. Sniper positions were established on multiple mountains. Similarly Pakistani Air Force's Sabres also launched multiple air strikes on the tribesmen. Pakistani casualties were about 120 while the casualties for the tribesmen numbered at around 180. At last the military succeeded in quelling the rebellion and peace was restored on September 10.

Aftermath

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto visited this area after the rebellion. He expressed sorrow at the loss of life and blamed it on the irresponsible behaviour of Dir Levies. The land reforms went through without further problem.

Chumik operation

Main article: Operation Chumik

Operation Chumik
Part of the Siachen conflict
Satellite imagery of the Siachen Glacier
Date 22 February 1989 - 30 April 1989 Location Chumik Glacier Result Inconclusive Demilitarization of the area
Belligerents
India	Pakistan
Units involved
Indian Army	Pakistan Army

Background

Chumik is small region in Bilafond, which was relatively peaceful since 1984. Frontline posts in this area provided a clear view over Gyong Glacier and Indian military's Baniya Base. A Pakistani post was set up here in 1985. The post was later abolished due to heavy losses of life due to severe weather conditions and artillery fire by India. The post was re-established in 1988 by the Northern Light Infantry Regiment on the order of Commander Force Command Northern Area.

Indian activities

Pakistani intelligence services discovered that India had a plan to capture strategic posts in the Chumik Sector. On 22 February , indian military helicopters conducted recon operations in the area and then the post was bombarded with artillery fire. In response, the Pakistan Army launched its own recon mission and flew helicopters into the area. They found out that indian forces had set up five new posts in Chumik area. A complete battalion of indian army along with multiple artillery pieces and a Lama Helicopter were stationed there. The indian bases in the area included Ganga, Sadhu , Agra-I , Agra-II and a heavy machine gun post (doubling as observation post) . These posts were supplied by Bniya and Rani bases. The Indian Army had also occupied the Naveed Top which was the highest peak in the area and now the Indians had the capability to monitor the activities of Pakistan Army in the area. The Indian Army used this used this peak as a launching point and started bombarding Pakistani forces at Asghar Base.

Pakistani response

In response Pakistan launched Operation Chumik. Firstly two bases Kausar 1 and Kausar 2 were set up on 17 April. However due to difficult terrain and severe weather conditions, the operation was immediately aborted.

The second plan was to deploy SSG troops via helicopter, but due to extremely poor weather and terrain, this mission was also aborted.

After a change in plan, On 19 April 1989 , the first Pakistani helicopter took off. An officer Lieutenant Naveed of Azad Kashmir regiment and SSG Naik Yaqoob were air dropped. However, due to severe weather, the remaining personnel were airdropped on 21 April.

Expeditions to Kamran top

Pakistani and Indian troops rushed to reach the strategic peak of Kamran top . Pakistani troops reached first and soon Eight Indian soldiers also arrived. When they were about about 400 meters from Kamran Top. They were fired upon and forced to retreat. On 30 April 1989 , a task force consisting of 11 persons including 4 officers was organised. It was commanded by Major Abdul Rehman Bilal. The party task force reached the machine gun checkpost and attacked it. Indian troops soon retaliated with small arms and rocket fire, which didn't prove to be very effective as Pakistani forces were protected by a boulder.

Aftermath

This battle forced Pakistan and India to negotiate and a truce was signed. The area was then vacated by both sides and was demilitarised.

Malakand insurrection (1994-95)

Main article: Malakand insurrection (1994-1995)

Malakand insurrection (1994-1995)
Date 1 November 1994 - 19 June 1995 Location Malakand Division Result Pakistani victory Suppression of rebellion
Belligerents
Pakistan	TNSM
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Sufi Muhammad
Units involved
Pakistan Army XI Corps Artillery regiment Aviation Corps FCKP(N)	TNSM Black turbans Foreign jihadists
Strength
Unknown	10000+
Casualties and losses
~12 killed	~28 killed
26+ wounded

Malakand revolt refers to an insurrection by Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi under the command of Sufi Muhammadin Malakand Division on the basis of a demand for Sharia law. Multiple areas were captured by the militants. The uprising was quashed by the Pakistan army, captured areas were liberated and a peace deal w| as negotiated. It was the first Salafi jihadist uprising in Pakistan.

Background

In northwest Pakistan, three princely states Dir, Swat and Chitral were abolished and reorganised to form the Malakand Division in 1970. This also abolished the laws of princely state especially the Sharia implementation in Swat . During the Soviet Afghan war, many militants from this area went to Afghanistan for Jihad. Upon returning they started campaigning for Sharia law and established an organisation named as Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi.

Rebellion

In November 1994 , Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi under Sufi Muhammad led a revolt for the implementation of Sharia law in the Malakand Division.. A large number of Afghan Mujahideen from the nearby areas also came to aid the rebellion. Timergara, the headquarters of Lower Dir, was besieged by government, artillery Shelling was carried out and fighting erupted in Swat . The Saidu Sharif Airport, roads multiple police stations and judicial courts in the area were occupied by the militants. The Sharia law was implemented in the occupied areas. They imposed driving on the right side of the road as a symbol of discontinuing British traditions. The militants established check points on mountain peaks to prevent military from entering. Approximately 40 persons, including 12 security force personnel, were killed in a week of combat before the Government quelled the rebellion. Pakistan army deployed combat and reconnaissance helicopters to the area. The Frontier Corps was deployed to regain control of the area .

On December 4, 1994, 10,000 members of the TNSM started rally for the release of 85 captured militants but security forces responded with tear gas shelling .

On June 19, 1995, the TNSM Chief Sufi Muhammad and 20 senior militants were arrested following an attack on security forces. In response hundreds of TNSM cadres attacked and occupied Government offices in the Swat district wounding 26 people.

Aftermath

After the introduction of the PATA Regulation, the provincial government recommended the introduction of the Shariah law. Nizam E Adl Ordinance was passed by Pakistani government which made it compulsory for the civil courts to seek advice of a Muawin Qazi, who was a religious cleric learned in Islamic law. But militant presence in the area led to the First Battle of Swat.

Pakistani airstrikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Background

2014 Bannu bombing, by Taliban killed twenty six Pakistani soldiers. Thirty-eight other people were injured as a result of the bombing.. It became the cause for the retaliatory airstrikes which weren't pre planned but instead carried out as response. Domestic and international pressure on Pakistani government also became a major factor.

Strikes

On January 20 2014, Pakistani Air force warplanes started the airstrike campaign by bombing multiple insurgent bases in North Waziristan followed by shelling of the targets by Pakistani army helicopters.

According to Pakistan, 40 insurgents most of which were foreigners including sixteen Uzbek and three German Al-qaeda members were killed. Independent sources reported 39 casualties (24 killed and 15 wounded). Wali Muhammad, a TTP commander, was reported to be killed in these strikes. Pakistan claimed that a huge weapons and ammunition cache was destroyed by the airstrikes. Furthermore, it was reported that residential areas were hit and 15 civilians were killed . More than 23,000 people fled the area amidst fear of more strikes.

The next day, Pakistan air force warplanes bombarded insurgent bases in Khyber agency killing 12 militants. Four militant hideouts were destroyed in the air raid on Tirah valley in Khyber agency.

Aftermath

Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, warned that his group would be compelled to take revenge. There was a surge in terrorist activities in Pakistan.

On January 21st 2014 Mastung bus bombing killed 22 Shi'ite pilgrims returning from Iran, 32 were wounded.